Sailing in Croatia from Split: maestral, bora, jugo and the best months

For many guests Central Dalmatia is their first taste of Croatia: from Split, Šolta, Brač, Hvar with the Pakleni islands and, a little further out, Vis are each a day's sail away. The islands are close together, harbours and bays are plentiful and distances short. If you know the three main winds, you can plan a week here without stress.

Maestral – the summer wind. On fine days it sets in from the north-west in late morning, is strongest in the afternoon and dies down in the evening. It is why summer sailing here is so pleasant: reliable, rarely too strong, and calm in the bays at night.

Bora – the downslope wind from the north-east. It comes down from the mountains cold, gusty and often suddenly, most often outside summer. In a bora the south-west sides of the islands are sheltered; on open stretches it can be fierce. If the forecast announces bora, stay in harbour or in a well-protected bay.

Jugo – the wind from the south-east. It usually builds slowly and brings cloud, humidity and above all waves, because it blows over a long stretch of the Adriatic. Bays open to the south get rough.

The rule of thumb for your week: check the forecast in the morning, sail your leg in the morning when the maestral is due, and choose the next bay by the wind when bora or a strong jugo is forecast. Good providers go through this at check-in.

Our week-long route idea goes from Split via Maslinica on Šolta to Vis, on to the Pakleni islands off Hvar, to Stari Grad and back via Brač. Legs are short enough to swim at midday and find a spot in the evening. For four days there is a shorter loop.

Many boats in Croatia are offered Saturday to Saturday. Whether shorter dates exist is shown in each boat's free dates.

The sailboat is the classic choice here – the winds are ideal for it. The catamaran offers more space and lies more calmly at anchor, popular with families and groups who anchor more than they sail. In high season catamarans are often the first to go.

To sail in Croatia without a skipper you usually need a recognised boat licence and a radio certificate. Exactly which documents your provider asks for is shown on the boat or explained before booking. Without experience, or for a relaxed week, a skipper is the better choice.

May, June and September are the most pleasant months: warm, maestral on most days, room in the harbours. July and August are hot and busy; harbours and buoys fill up early in the afternoon. In spring and autumn the bora is more frequent.